Zoning Regulations for Religious Institutions in the City of Concord
Religious facilities, defined as establishments providing religious worship and incidental religious education and offices [Section 18.20.030], are permitted in several zoning districts throughout the City of Concord. Most residential, commercial, and public/quasi-public districts allow religious facilities subject to a Use Permit (UP) approval, while other districts, such as the Community Land Districts, do not explicitly permit them as a primary use.
Permitted Zoning Districts and Approval Requirements
The City of Concord permits "Religious Facility" uses in various zoning districts, generally requiring a Use Permit (UP) as the mechanism for approval. The following table summarizes the status of religious institutions across the zoning categories defined in the Concord Development Code:
| Zoning District Classification | Permit Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential Districts (RR, RS, RL, RM, RH) | UP (Use Permit Required) |
| North Todos Santos District (NTS) | UP (Use Permit Required) |
| Office and Commercial Districts (CO, CMX, NC, SC, RC) | UP (Use Permit Required) |
| Downtown Districts (DP, DMX, WMX) | UP (Use Permit Required) |
| Public/Quasi-Public District (PQP) | UP (Use Permit Required) |
| Community Land Districts (OS, PR, RLC, WRC, CRP-GF) | – (Use Not Allowed) |
| Business Park and Industrial Districts (OBP, IBP, IMX, HI) | – (Use Not Allowed) |
Note: In the table above, "–" indicates the use is not allowed.
Development and Operational Standards
When a Religious Facility is proposed, the following standards and requirements apply:
- Definition: A religious facility is defined as a facility that provides religious worship and incidental religious education and offices; it does not include private schools for primary or secondary education [Section 18.20.030].
- Permit Procedure: Applications for a Use Permit must be reviewed and approved by the planning commission at a public hearing [Section 18.435.030].
- Parking Requirements: For religious facilities, the required parking is calculated at a ratio of 1 space per 4 fixed seats in the main assembly area, or 1 space per 50 square feet of gross floor area for non-fixed seating [Section 18.160.040].
- Noise Exemption: Bells, chimes, or similar sounds used by churches or similar institutions are exempt from the general noise standards of the City of Concord, provided they are played between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and do not last more than five minutes in any one hour [Section 18.150.130].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.20.030 (Definitions)
- Section 18.30.020 (Residential Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.35.020 (North Todos Santos District – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.40.020 (Office and Commercial Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.45.020 (Downtown Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.50.020 (Business Park and Industrial Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.55.020 (Public/Quasi-Public District – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.60.020 (Community Land Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.150.130 (Performance standards)
- Section 18.160.040 (Parking requirements)
- Section 18.435.030 (Review authority)